Planner I

Panama City, City of • Panama City, FL

4d

About The Position

Under the general guidance and leadership of the Director of the Development Services Department, the Planner I performs professional planning work, including research on land use and zoning cases and development review. The role involves extensive public contact and coordination with public officials, internal departments, and external agencies. The Planner serves as a contact for division inquiries, provides information about zoning and land development, interprets applicable codes and regulations, and reviews a variety of applications and plans for compliance with local requirements.

The Planner conducts research and prepares reports concerning development orders, zoning, and land-use amendment requests; collects and interprets data; prepares maps and reports; and presents findings to staff, the Planning Board, and the City Commission. The position also maintains records and communications for assigned permits and requests and assists planning staff with Planning Board and City Commission meetings. A comparable amount of training or experience may be substituted for the stated minimum qualifications.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, or major coursework in government, law, engineering, design, economics, social science, geography, or statistics.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Basic knowledge of methods, practices, and techniques used in professional planning.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with City team members, elected officials, agencies, and the public.
• Ability to learn third-party software efficiently and independently.
• Ability to review plans and apply ordinances and codes to determine regulatory compliance and assess field conditions.
• Knowledge of standard business English writing, including grammar, sentence structure, and effective communication.
• Strong skills in Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Ability to prepare documents and reports and deliver oral and written presentations to small groups.
• Ability to help resolve problems or questions raised by team members.
• Ability to analyze facts and exercise sound judgment in reaching conclusions.
• Ability to multitask, manage several projects or issues simultaneously, and work independently or as part of a team.
• Ability to meet firm deadlines and maintain organization.
• Working knowledge of computers and programs associated with this work.
• Ability to present ideas and findings clearly and concisely in written, oral, or graphic form.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective internal and external working relationships and meet deadlines.
• Oral communication and interpersonal skills to explain rules and procedures clearly, courteously, and effectively to the public.
• Problem-solving skills to gather relevant information and address vaguely defined practical problems.
• A comparable amount of training or experience may be substituted for the minimum requirements.

Nice To Haves

• One year of full-time professional experience in urban and regional planning.
• Professional certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).
• Experience with Florida’s growth management laws.
• One year of experience with Geographical Information Systems (GIS).

Responsibilities

• Serves as a contact for division inquiries and customer service, providing general information to the public about zoning and land development issues.
• Assists the public in interpreting land-use codes, rules, maps, and regulations, and explains restrictions under the Land Development Code to citizens, applicants, and developers.
• Interacts with the public in an effective and courteous manner.
• Reviews beverage license and business tax receipt applications for consistency with local zoning ordinances.
• Performs duties related to the Unified Land Development Code and Comprehensive Plan.
• Interprets, clarifies, and explains land-use and development information and cases to internal and external customers.
• Conducts research and prepares reports concerning development orders, zoning, and land-use amendment requests.
• Collects and interprets data and information and prepares maps and reports.
• Applies city code ordinances to application requests and informs applicants of applicable requirements.
• Reviews, processes, and issues zoning and permitted-use verification letters, and subdivision, lot split, lot combination, and lot reconfiguration letters.
• Reviews planning permits and sign, accessory, residential, and small-scale commercial Development Order applications and site plans for compliance with planning and zoning requirements and restrictions.
• Reviews assigned Development Order applications for consistency with the local Comprehensive Plan and Unified Land Development Code.
• Reviews assigned Certificate of Acceptance applications for consistency with the local Comprehensive Plan and Unified Land Development Code.
• Prepares and presents detailed reports and findings to staff, the Planning Board, and the City Commission on assigned matters, including variances, major developments, annexations, future land-use amendments, and rezonings.
• Maintains records and communications relating to assigned permits, administrative matters, Development Orders, Certificates of Acceptance, and Planning Board requests.
• Assists planning staff with Planning Board and City Commission meetings.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level